This webinar, “The Role of AI Governance in Trade: Lessons from ASEAN and Japan,” examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping cross-border trade, business practices, and economic policy. With AI rapidly transforming the global digital marketplace, effective governance frameworks have become essential to ensure innovation, competitiveness, security, and trust.
ASEAN and Japan present two compelling perspectives: ASEAN’s diverse and fast-growing digital economies face challenges in harmonizing governance frameworks, while Japan offers a mature and forward-looking approach to AI policy and ethics. The session aims to unpack how these regions can learn from each other and collaborate to build coherent, future-ready AI governance systems that support regional trade and business growth.
Registration is free and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Date and Time: Thursday, 11 December 2025
15:00–16:30 GMT+9 | 14:00–15:30 GMT+8 | 13:00–14:30 GMT+7
Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0Fw4V0QwS0G_mX-C-nV0Ag
Programme as of 19 November 2025 (tentative)
| 15:00-15:02 | Opening |
| 15:03-15:07 | Welcome Remarks Kunihiko Hirabayashi, MD, PhD Secretary General, ASEAN-Japan Centre |
| 15:08-15:10 | Introduction of AJC and the ASEAN-Japan Insights Series Katrina Navallo, PhD Program Manager, Research and Policy Advocacy ASEAN-Japan Centre |
| 15:10-15:20 | AI Governance and Digital Trade: Lessons from Japan and the ASEAN Region Catherine Setiawan, 2025 Research Fellow, ASEAN-Japan Young Experts |
| 15:21-15:32 | Implications of AI Governance to Trade: Case Study from Japan Jun MORIKAWA, Director, Digital Trade Policy Office, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) (TBC) |
| 15:33-15:44 | Operationalizing Japan AI Guide for Business in Southeast Asia: Opportunities and Challenges Rifki Weno, Executive Director, ASEAN Business Advisory Council (TBC) |
| 15:45-15:55 | Bridging the AI Governance Gaps in Southeast Asia: Future Collaboration with Japan Dr. Lili Yan Ing, Lead Advisor, ERIA |
| 15:56-16:25 | Panel Discussion: Charting a Common Path: ASEAN–Japan Cooperation on AI Governance in Trade |
| 16:25-16:30 | Q&A from Audience |
| 16:30 | Wrap up and end |
Detailed profiles of the speakers may be viewed at this link: To follow.
About the ASEAN-Japan Insights Series
The ASEAN-Japan Insights Series is the Centre’s flagship hybrid, bilingual (English–Japanese) webinar platform designed to provide timely analysis on ASEAN-Japan issues. The Series features emerging topics that shape regional cooperation and supports knowledge sharing among industry, academia, governments, and enterprises across the region.
About the ASEAN-Japan Young Experts Fellowship (AJYEF) Programme
The ASEAN-Japan Young Experts Fellowship (AJYEF) Programme is a pioneering initiative of the ASEAN-Japan Centre that nurtures the next generation of thought leaders and practitioners in ASEAN-Japan relations. Through research, professional development, and engagement in policy dialogues, AJYEF Fellows contribute fresh perspectives on regional cooperation, emerging economic opportunities, and shared challenges.
This webinar is organized as part of the Fellows’ research and policy outreach activities under the 2025 AJYEF cohort.
